Pre-teens Jazz Summer Camp
‘One class a week with a maximum of 12 students’

Ages: 9 – 12 years old (level supersedes age)
Days: Monday through Friday
Months: From July through August
Rate: $749 per week
10% discount on additional weeks ($674)
Click here for a detailed rates and dates overview.

Schedule:
Drop Off: 9:30am – 10:00am
Program: 10am – 4pm
Pick up: 4 – 4:30pm
Optional: 4 – 5pm Jam-session with 5 – 5:30pm pickup
Click here for a details:
NYJW Kids Summer Jazz Camp Calendar 2019

Classes are held at:
New York Jazz Workshop
244 West 54th street 10th fl.
NEW YORK , NY 10019

It’s All About Improvisation!

Jazz improvisation is the ultimate form of interactive musical expression. It involves listening to the other band members and making a contribution in the context of what the group is doing. Perform and learn about jazz in an environment that is friendly, informative, and FUN! The skills you’ll learn in this jazz camp are vital to your development as a musician, and can be applied to other styles of music, as well as your personal and professional life. The camp is led by a group of seasoned and dedicated educators, with plenty of years experience teaching music to kids and teens. Each week will have a different principal teacher with different masterclass guests. Therefore every week will be a new experience. Please take note that we have one class a week with a maximum of 12 students per week.

 

What experience do I need to have to participate in the workshop?

Students should have an absolute minimum of 2 to 3 years experience with their instrument as well as some knowledge of scales, arpeggios, chords and notation. Placement is based on level which supersedes age. For example, a high-level 11 year-old student could possibly be placed in the teens program. All students are requested to email us a sample of their playing either in mp3 format or a video sample. This does not need to be high quality production, a small clip recorded with a phone or small recording device will be sufficient. On the first day of camp there will be a light written test and a playing opportunity which allows the faculty to refine the level assessment and adjust the content of the curriculum to appropriately match to the levels of the students.


What will I learn at the summer camp?

  • Repertoire: Learn how to play standard jazz tunes.
  • Theory: Gain a harmonic and melodic understanding of chords, scales and key centers.
  • Ear training: Learn how to hear chord types and melodic patterns by ear and notate them on the music staff.
  • Transcribing/Listening: Transcribe a Miles Davis solo from his classic album “Kind of Blue,” as well as discuss other examples of great jazz compositions and improvisations.
  • Improvisation: Create melodies in the moment by applying theory and ear training.
  • Ensemble (Combo): Play and improvise in a small jazz ensemble.
  • Composition and Jazz Connections to Music Today: Compose and arrange an original piece of music, as well as compare jazz music from the past with present musical styles.
  • Performance: Apply the knowledge you’ve gained and sharpen your skills through performance.
  • Rhythm: Learn to play in time and develop a stable swing feel.
  • Jam-session: Have fun playing with other students and learn how to communicate on the band stand.
  • FUN: Above all music is fun. The students will learn in a positive and exciting environment while being exposed to a the musical language by experienced, excitable and seasoned educators.

Click here for a detailed curriculum overview.


When is the deadline?

Registration is on a first come, first served basis and level assessment (mp3 or video sample). Class sizes are limited to 12 students and we run two classes a week. It is a small program focused on individual attention and high quality.  We encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, as most classes will fill up.


What about the instrumentation in the workshop?

We accept instrumentalists and vocalists. For the rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass and drums) and vocalists, two chairs are made available which allows us to separate the 12 students into two bands. There are six positions available for the woodwind and brass students. Different conglomerations are possible but will not exceed a total of 12 students. If the group is missing a bass player or drummer, a faculty member will fill in the spot.


What does a day look like?

Classes start at 10am and end at 4pm, with a 1-hour lunch break from 12:30 to 1:30. We do not provide lunch for students. Here is an example of what a day would look like:

 9:30am-10:00am  Student Drop Off
 10:00am-10:30am  Ear Training
 10:30am-11:00am  Theory (Fundamental)
 11:00am-12:15(30)pm  Ensemble Rehearsal
 12:30-1:30pm  LUNCH
 1:30pm-2:00pm  Rhythm and Time
 2:00pm-2:30pm  Listening Lab (Studious listening)
 2:30pm-4:00pm  Ensemble Rehearsal
 4:00pm-5:00pm  Student Pick-Up/Optional Jam Session

 

Safety and Health:

Safety is our absolute highest priority. All our educators are DOE screened and they go through a strict selection process. We follow a sign in – sign out procedure requiring signature and ID. We request a Health Record signed by a Physician and the child’s parent(s). This is a standard form used by all day camps in the NY area. Click here for a  NYJW Health Form

 

How do I sign up and what about payment:

To register your child you simply fill in our online form. The registration is non-committal and does not guarantee a position. We will first make sure a position is available on your requested date upon which we request a playing sample, either in a mp3 or video format. This does not need to be high quality production, a small clip recorded with a phone or small recording device will be sufficient.
Registration is done through an online form: register

Payment can be made online by credit card. The placement of the student is guaranteed with the payment. Down-payments are accepted until May 31, with the full amount due on June 1. As an option payments can be spread over a few months, however the full payment is due on June 1st.

 

Q and A:

What is the age requirement?
Students must be 9 – 12 years old. Level supersedes age.

When are the classes held?
From July 1 to August 30, 2019.

What if I only studied classical music? Classical music is a great foundation for learning jazz. Your classical background will help you create melodic ideas for improvisation and hone your jazz technique.

What experience do I need to have to participate in the workshop?
Students should have 2-3 years of experience with their instrument, as well as some knowledge of scales, arpeggios, chords and notation. Students will be placed based on level and proficiency,
and there will be a maximum of 12 students in each class.

What do I need to bring?
All you need is your lunch, instrument, sheet music and a pencil. We have drum kits, piano’s and amplifiers on site. If you need an instrument, let us know and we will provide some options.
For more information, fill out the registration form or email us. You can also call Marco Chelo at (917) 340-0270 or Marc Mommaas at (917) 449-1809.

Join us for this wonderful learning experience. Register for our Junior Jazz Day Camp today!